Rays Add Veteran Closer Craig Kimbrel to Bullpen on Major League Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays have added an experienced arm to their bullpen. 

On Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement with longtime MLB reliever Craig Kimbrel on a major league deal. The news comes as Kimbrel refused a minor league assignment with the New York Mets earlier this week. 

Kimbrel has had a lengthy MLB career and, at one point, was considered one of the best closers in baseball. Entering his 17th season in the majors, the 37-year-old, who will turn 38 by month's end, has pitched for ten different organizations in his career. 

So far this season, he appeared in 14 games for the Mets, pitching in 15 innings, and allowed 16 hits, three home runs, and picked up 15 strikeouts during his outing. 

The nine-time All-Star is expected to immediately be added to the Rays' active roster and potentially pitch as early as Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. Kimbrell last pitched for the Mets on May 20th, so he is ready for action. 

Tampa Bay could use the help. Although their pitching rotation has been very solid this season, the last few games have tested the team's depth. The Rays are coming off a frustrating loss in extra innings to the Orioles in the series opener at Camden Yards, where they allowed nine runs and lost after 13 innings of play. 

Adding veteran help as the summer begins to take off for the Rays could help in more ways than one for a ball club that is sitting atop the American League. 

The Rays will look to get back to their winning ways on Tuesday night after falling two games in a row for the first time in over a month. 

The middle game of the series against the Orioles will begin at 6:35 p.m. Eastern, with ShaneBas (1-5, 4.87 ERA) getting the start for the opposing team. Tampa Bay will go with veteran pitcher Griffin Jax (1-2, 3.54 ERA) as he continues to look to jump-start his season. 

A win in Tuesday night's game will move the Rays to 15-4 on the season against their division opponents.